Chhagan Bhujbal takes charge, gets Food and Civil Supplies portfolio

Indian Express

23-05-2025

Three days after being inducted into the Maharashtra cabinet, senior NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal on Friday formally took charge of the Food and Civil Supplies Ministry—a portfolio which he has handled previously.
While speaking to the media, the 77-year-old OBC leader acknowledged that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had been keen on his induction into the cabinet as early as December 2024, following the BJP-led Mahayuti's landslide victory in the Maharashtra assembly elections. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah also played a key role in facilitating his return to the cabinet.
'It is true that Fadnavis saheb was keen on my induction and now, he has played a major role in my return. PM Modi and Shah also took efforts for my induction,' Bhujbal said.
On the issue of welfare schemes, Bhujbal emphasized that the Shiv Bhojan Thali scheme — which provides subsidized meals to nearly two lakh people daily — would not be discontinued.
'I have heard discussions about shutting down the Shiv Bhojan Thali scheme. I met with the Chief Minister and explained that it provides one meal a day to nearly two lakh people. It helps both the needy and promotes the government's image. The estimated expenditure on the scheme is around Rs 140 to 150 crore. I cited examples from South India where similar initiatives have continued for years. Discontinuing it would not be right,' he said.
Bhujbal also clarified that no schemes have been scrapped by the Mahayuti in its second term and said the government is simply adjusting to financial constraints — just as families do during tough times.
'There's no blanket ban on schemes. When a household faces major expenses such as weddings, school fees, or illnesses, adjustments are made. The government has to do the same. Public money funds the state, and we don't suddenly get Rs 40,000 to 50,000 crore more. The 'Ladki Bahin' scheme involved a large outlay, causing strain, but we're working on it. As revenues grow, these issues will be resolved,' he explained.
Bhujbal said apart from maintaining the Shiv Bhojan scheme, other schemes will also continue uninterrupted. He mentioned that proposals have been submitted to the central government for support, and steps are being taken to improve scheme targeting.
'Ineligible people often end up availing benefits. We have set up a committee to address misuse and to explore how we can expand benefits for eligible beneficiaries,' he said.
Bhujbal's induction on May 20 marked his return to the cabinet after being overlooked during initial ministerial appointments, following the 2024 Maharashtra Assembly elections. He replaced NCP MLA Dhananjay Munde, who had resigned in March after being linked to a controversy involving his close associate Walmik Karad, who has been arrested for his alleged involvement in the murder of a sarpanch in Beed .